A blind amateur athlete from Upminster who wants to compete in triathlons is looking for training partners.

Chris Blackabee, 42, who has been blind since birth, is aiming to take part in the swimming, cycling and running competitions, and says he wants to compete against fully sighted people too.

The member of the East Essex Triathlon Club is looking for people to help him train, riding on the front of his tandem bike, and act as running guides.

Chris said: “I’ve been running on and off for a couple of years now and it wasn’t ticking all the boxes for me, I wasn’t fulfilled with just running anymore. I wanted to diversify into other sports so I guess I was looking for more variety.”

The Upminster Road resident added: “I’m very keen to compete in sport where you’re not sort of lumped in with other blind folk. Obviously I’m never going to compete on a level playing field with fully sighted people but I’m happy to compete.”

He currently trains for the swimming at Hornchurch Sports Centre, and, after meeting a representative at the Hornchurch Cycle Show earlier this month, is being helped by the London Cycle Campaign to find cycle partners.

By doing front crawl in the pool he doesn’t need any assistance with training as he can feel the end of the pool before he reaches it, but he needs sighted guides for the other two disciplines.

Anyone interested in helping Chris train regularly, on roads and streets in Havering should call: 07703 741 127.